Stranger who quizzed daughter made her mother shiver

A MOTHER said she felt “shivers down her spine” after a stranger approached her daughter and asked her questions.

Vanessa Hopkins was walking in Glenmore Road, Carterton, on Tuesday when the man got out of a dark grey car and offered her a bicycle which he said had belonged to his own daughter, with whom he had lost contact.

She said: “He looked at my daughter in such a way it sent shivers down my spine. Instantly he began to ask how old she was and other questions, not taking his eyes off her.

“When I refused to tell him any information about my daughter he persistently asked why I wouldn’t tell him and seemed quite snappy.”

She reported the incident to police, but after officers had looked into the matter, they said no crime had been committed.

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Comments (5)

Whether a crime has been committed or not, the fact remains that this man has frightened this poor woman and her daughter. It's not something that can be simply brushed off. He may do it again, either to the same people or others.

This man should be traced. It may be that he is suffering as a result of loss of contact with his daughter. We don't know the background, so should not automatically assume he has done wrong which has led to him not seeing his daughter. If he has, it could be that he is a risk.

I just feel that this incident should not be disregarded.

Whether a crime has been committed or not, the fact remains that this man has frightened this poor woman and her daughter. It's not something that can be simply brushed off. He may do it again, either to the same people or others.
This man should be traced. It may be that he is suffering as a result of loss of contact with his daughter. We don't know the background, so should not automatically assume he has done wrong which has led to him not seeing his daughter. If he has, it could be that he is a risk.
I just feel that this incident should not be disregarded.Jojo2311

The only sensible course of action is not to talk to anyone under 16 - completely blank them. Anyone under 21 give mono-syllabic answers to before walking off. It isn't the way to foster understanding between generations but there you go.

The only sensible course of action is not to talk to anyone under 16 - completely blank them. Anyone under 21 give mono-syllabic answers to before walking off. It isn't the way to foster understanding between generations but there you go.King Joke

if it made the woman feel vunerable and uncomfortable - as it would at such a random approach it needs to be looked into and the guy to be spoken to about his approach. Its not about showing kindness - there are ways to do this without scaring the parents

if it made the woman feel vunerable and uncomfortable - as it would at such a random approach it needs to be looked into and the guy to be spoken to about his approach. Its not about showing kindness - there are ways to do this without scaring the parentsOldWitneyBoy

Yes, true, you shouldn't be making people uncomfortable. The guy might be a pathological kiddy-fiddler or just a harmless simpleton; there's no way of knowing. I hope this article will make him change his approach if the latter.

Yes, true, you shouldn't be making people uncomfortable. The guy might be a pathological kiddy-fiddler or just a harmless simpleton; there's no way of knowing. I hope this article will make him change his approach if the latter.King Joke